I got an Alligator for Christmas! (1 Viewer)

[WesternOutlaw]

Hello everyone and Merry Christmas,

It's been a great year for K&C and Santa has been extra kind to me this year.

I could not wait to open one particular vehicle this morning, the new LVT(A) "Alligator" Tank (USMC023).

First Impression: It's BIG and it's blue.

Actual Dimensions: 4.5" W x 10.5" L x 4.5" high (approx). I had it next to Oddball's Sherman and it seemed to dwarf the Sherman.

Colors: The color is a light/slate grayish blue with white US stars and yellow bars.

Components: The set includes one large base piece (the tank itself), main turret with 37 mm gun (does not raise/lower), two round turret inserts/canisters for the soldiers, and two half soldiers attached to the .30 caliber machine guns and armor shielding. The figures are identical save the camo patterns on their helmets. The vehicle also includes one standard black K&C antenna. None of the hatches on the turret or tank body open in case any of you were wondering.

Weathering: Not much weathering on the Alligator - some slight whitish fading near lines and a few rust marks.

Because of the size, I found the Alligator difficult to photograph in a small scene. Let's start with the image below. I'll take a a few more on my tabletop mat at a later time.


Beachhead Landing by Western Outlaw, on Flickr

Thoughts: This is really a far different type of vehicle than tradition WWII US and German tanks that I have in my current collection. Color, style, and size make it most unique. I'm honestly warming up to the Alligator as I look at it on my tabletop diorama because it is so different than traditional green Shermans/US tanks. I'm going to call it "Big Blue".

Share your thoughts; I'd be interested in hearing comments from those of you who may have picked one up for Christmas.

 

[Horus]

Looks great Rob and that sounds like an appropriate name for your Alligator !

Steve

 

[villagehorse]

Interesting the positioning of machine guns restricts the field of fire as the design does not allow hardly any direct forward fire power, that being reserved for the main turret. The guns cover a side angle forward, flanks and rear unlike a tank where they are located in front. While the Blue is historically correct, I would have liked it in a subtle camo, this stands out on the beach as one big target. Certainly a very different vehicle, but iconic to the series. Robin.

 

[Larry Allen]

First Rob, that is a fantastic Christmas gift. I hope to have mine by the end of the month.:tongue:

Second, the title of the post isn't one that a person normally sees, even on here. My wife passed by and glanced at the topic and her response was wonderful. "An Alligator!!! {eek3} OMG does he live in Florida and keep it in the swamps? Is it legal to own a killing machine."

:rolleyes2: Well, she did get the "killing machine" concept right.

Third, IBM might come after you for copyright infringement since they are know as "Big Blue"{sm4}{sm4}

Looks good my friend.
Merry Christmas.

 

[WesternOutlaw]

Looks great Rob and that sounds like an appropriate name for your Alligator !

Thanks Steve.

While the Blue is historically correct, I would have liked it in a subtle camo, this stands out on the beach as one big target. Certainly a very different vehicle, but iconic to the series.

Agree with you Robin, they had some cool camo color patterns as well.

First Rob, that is a fantastic Christmas gift. I hope to have mine by the end of the month...Second, the title of the post isn't one that a person normally sees, even on here. My wife passed by and glanced at the topic and her response was wonderful. "An Alligator!!! OMG does he live in Florida and keep it in the swamps? Is it legal to own a killing machine.

Larry, you're post really made me laugh. Some shoot for hippopotamuses while others alligators.{sm4} Your wife's response is similar to what mine would have said - too funny!

Did not know about IBM. I was thinking more along Babe (ref. Paul Bunyan).:wink2:

In any case, I think you'll like Big Blue. Merry Christmas to you and the Mrs. as well. You guys stay away from those alligators though. Waterboy said it best, "Mama says that alligators are ornery 'cause they got all them teeth but no toothbrush!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-iTjlOawV4

 

[PanzerAce1944]

Rob, Glad to see Santa brought you a K&C vehicle under your tree this year {sm4}

Wayne :salute::

 

[WesternOutlaw]

Rob, Glad to see Santa brought you a K&C vehicle under your tree this year

Thanks Wayne, I had a sneaky suspicion that it was coming...:wink2:

 

[LTC PaulN]

I had an LVTP from the old Iwo Jima series that I sold at San Antonio a few years ago. I had kinda hoped that they would reboot it for the Commandos series for Walcheren or the crossing of the Rhine...

 

[WesternOutlaw]

Some additional pictures of the Alligator in action:


Amphibian Attack by Western Outlaw, on Flickr


Air Support! by Western Outlaw, on Flickr


Air Support! (color) by Western Outlaw, on Flickr


Day in the Pacific by Western Outlaw, on Flickr

 

[Larry Allen]

Really superb shots, Rob, of the new "TOY" ... it looks fantastic. {sm3}

QUESTION: The color, of the Alligator, in Andy's dioramas, appears to be much more "BLUE" than what is shown in the top photo. Which, to my partially color blind eyes, looks more GREY than BLUE

Can you please describe the color as you see it?

Hopefully, I'll see for myself in a couple of days.

THANKS,
--- LaRRy

 

[WesternOutlaw]

QUESTION: The color, of the Alligator, in Andy's dioramas, appears to be much more "BLUE" than what is shown in the top photo. Which, to my partially color blind eyes, looks more GREY than BLUE

It looks pretty grey in my photos but I think it is actually more blue - very close to this official image: